That, of course, is a relative statement for some folks around Marquette County, but I, for one, am looking forward to a couple of days off! There is work to be done at home and it will be addressed, but at least I will be able to do it at a leisurely pace. And with the weather going as foul as tomorrow sounds, yardwork is out of the picture for another weekend…darn! (Yes, that IS sarcasm!)

THE FINNISH EPIC COMES TO NEGAUNEE!

PAUL OLSON AND HIS "KANTELE HERO" DAUGHTER ERICKA.

Paul Olson joined us in the Sunny Studios this morning to tell us about the production of the KALEVALA being put on at the Vista Theater in Negaunee this weekend. Paul adapted the 600-page epic tome for the stage and has encapsulated the story into a two-hour theater piece that is sure to entertain and excite all who attend. He also brought his daughter Ericka along this morning, and we had to get a picture of the both of them. Note the “Kantele Hero” shirt she is wearing. If you get the joke, then you are a true fan of the Finns! Ckick “HERE” to listen to Paul’s interview.

MORE ARTS FROM NEGAUNEE!

STAN WRIGHT AND SOME OTHER PUSHY GUY!

Stan Wright stopped in a bit later to tell us about a special fundraising dinner being put on tomorrow (Saturday) in Negaunee to help alleviate the expenses of sending the Negaunee High School Orchestra and NHS Chamber Orchestra on a Central European tour later this spring. The event will feature plenty of food, a silent auction, live performances by the students and much more! You can listen to Stan’s interview by clicking “HERE.”

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND.

Heave an enjoyable and safe weekend. There are plenty of events and activities going on around Marquette County so be sure and get out to take them in! We’ll catch up with you guys again on Monday!

A sad day today on Mark & Walt in the Morning. While it may not be earth-shattering Marquette County news, it is a big deal to us. This morning marked the unfortunate demise of the the second of three pounds of Tim Horton’s 100-percent Aribica Whole Bean Coffee. We started with three pounds, and now there’s only ONE POUND LEFT!! For Mark and myself, this is cutting our supply dangerously low. This could leave a couple of coffee addicts like Mark & me in VERY dire straits!! I guess I’ll just have to invoke my Finnishness an adopt the attitude of , “OK we’ll just have to get some more when we can when it becomes available!” AHHHH, the stoic and accepting side of Finnish coffee etiquette! More Tim Horton’s adventures to follow, I’m sure!

PATRIOTISM, HONOR AND HEALING ON DISPLAY IN MARQUETTE COUNTY.

THE EXCHANGE CLUB'S STACI LIKE.

We’d like to thank Staci Like with the Marquette Exchange Club for stopping in at the Sunny Studios this morning to talk about the Healing Field being constructed later tonight in Marquette at the Mattson Lower Park. The group is setting up 168 flags in Mattson Park inconjunction with the “Peace Officer Memorial Day” in honor of the U.P.’s brave men and women who have lost their lives protecting and serving the public. You can listen to Staci’s complete interview by clicking “HERE“, and find out more about the Exchange Club by clicking “HERE.”

CHRYSLER & GM DEALER DEATH WATCH.

KA-FREAKIN'-BOOM!!!

One of the more interesting things going on here around the ol’ radio ranch today is the waiting for the lists to be released of the closing dealerships by Chrysler and GM. While I understand the concepts behind the closures, I am wondering if they will have the intended effect. The general attitude being reported by the major media is that urban markets that are congested and saturated by multiple dealerships will be trimmed down to one per market. But I wonder how smaller, rural markets such as ours will end up being serviced. We’re not a saturated market by any means, but the competition between the three prominent GM-based dealers in Marquette and Negaunee has been good for the consumer. The question is…will that remain the same, or will we, as consumers, be left out in the cold? I’m sure we’ll have more tomorrow as the lists develop.

THE DAY ROLLS ON AND SO DO WE!

Well, be sure to keep listening to Mark & Walt in the Morning from 6 to 9am on Sunny 101.9, WKQS-FM and following up here on the blog. We’ll catch you all tomorrow!

Today’s show was a nice break from the last couple of week’s worth of triple-booked jam-packed multi-guest extravaganzas that we’ve been bringing to you folks recently. Of course, since it was mellow, there really isn’t much to recap other than tune in tomorrow for the next chance to get entered into our “House Full of HD” Giveaway and perhaps two 32″ flatscreen HDTVs could be yours just in time for the digital switchover in June.

ABSTRACT MOMENT OF JOY.

"MMMM! THAT'S A GOOD PICKLE!!"

Just to wrap this blog up on a high note, here’s a picture of Mark enjoying a pickle. Enjoy that, and we’ll see you all tomorrow on the air and online!

Off we go into another glorious week in Marquette County! This past weekend was a weather washout…or maybe even a WHITEout in some areas due to the late-season snow. Well, that’s behind us now and following a busy Mother’s Day Weekend, it’s time to get back on the horse, so to speak. From Republic to Harvey, Big Bay to Sawyer, it’s another crackin’ week with Marquette County’s top morning radio show!

TALKIN’ TV ON THE RADIO!

WNMU-TV'S ERIC SMITH

Thanks to Eric Smith with NMU Public Television for coming in an talking with us about the impending change of analog TV signals to digital on June 12th of this year. While it seems like this point has been over-hammered, we still want to make sure you know what to expect when the switch is flipped. If you want to listen to Eric’s interview, please click “HERE“. For more information about the analog to digital conversion process and how it may affect you television viewing, please click “HERE“.

MAIN STREET MONDAY HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK!

MARK ADJUSTS THE BIG STACK OF MSM ENTRIES!

Congratulations to Beverly Z. of who was our latest winner of two 14″ three-topping pizzas from Main Street Pizza from either the Marquette, Harvey or Munising stores. It’s all part of Main Street Monday’s Classic Cartoon Trivia. She correctly identified the classic cartoon character that we were looking for was Daffy Duck! As you can see from the picture here, we had alarge number of entries this morning since the question was a bit on the simple side this time. Oh well, people entered and it was worth it because it was Main Street Pizza. Tune in again next Monday morning when we do it all over again!

BACK ON THE BRICKS, MARQUETTE COUNTY!
Oh well, off to another work week! Keep listening in on Sunny 101.9, and Mark &
Walt in the Morning, weekdays from 6am to 9am. We’ll catch you all tomorrow!!!

After a day rife with illness, fatigue, the seasonal blahs and more, the Mark & Walt in the Morning “Big Ol’ Blog” is back on the internet, sending data and keeping you up-to-date with Marquette County’s busiest and most community-oriented Morning Radio Show. Now, instead of the usual recap of guests and the like, I’d like to take a moment to talk about a problem that has developed quite strongly here in our area. It’s something I call, “reverse carpetbaggery”.

“REVERSE CARPETBAGGERY” EXPLAINED.

To give this issue some perspective, we have to go back in US history to the period immediately after the Civil War. At that time, shrewd and less-than-scrupulous individuals headed down South from the North to do “business” with the war-ravaged and shell-shocked Southerners. They were known as “carpetbaggers” because they would carry the tools of their shady trades in large suitcases made from carpet remnants. Thusly, the “carpetbags”. They would set up any number of business deals that were usually bogus and allowed the quick pocketing of money in their billfolds and they would never deliver quality product or service for the money. This would leave the customer, or client, in the lurch, ripped off and underserved.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER NOW?

I bring all of this up, because in my opinion, this is going on right now in our area on your radio dial. I call them “reverse carpetbaggers” because they are heading up north from the south (Lower Michigan) and engaging in business in our area. They come in and make grand claims that promise the best and biggest of everything and price it at an unbelievable rate. They talk about how they are here to serve the community and be all things to all people in Marquette County. I bring it up because I have had enough!

PUT THE MONEY WHERE THE MOUTH IS!

I have been on Sunny’s airwaves for 11 years now, working on a morning show that has built it’s entire existence on keeping it’s listeners informed and connected with what’s going on here in the community. No other show or station has worked to deliver interviews with guests ranging from Federal lawmakers like Congressman Bart Stupak and Senators Levin and Stabenow to Michigan’s Governor, Jennifer Granholm to representatives from NMU, MGH, Bell Hospital, Cliff’s Natural Resources, to sponsoring events like Negaunee’s Pioneer Days, the NIT, area 4th of July activities, the local art, music and theater scene. And you know all of this because the interviews are all here on the blog. From day one, WKQS-FM has been, and will continue to be, MARQUETTE COUNTY’S radio station.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!!

This station, and it’s parent group is made up of people who live and work right here in Marquette County. We are locally owned and operated and we employ people here in Marquette County. We shop at the same stores and eat at the same restaurants that you do. We buy our cars and clothing from Marquette County businesses. We don’t “pipe in” an air shift from somewhere downstate or across the country, the voices you hear here truly are here in Marquette county.

SO, KEEP IT LOCAL!

If you are approached by some of these “reverse carpetbaggers”, ask them how they can keep their prices so low. Is it because they don’t really have a staff here in town? Is it because they don’t really value their product? Ask them.

TIME TO GET OFF OF MY SOAPBOX.

Please understand…these views are only MY OWN. They do not represent our show, station or company as a whole. If there is any comments you’d like to make, please do. Be sure to address them to me, and I’ll be happy to answer. But I leave you with these few ideas and requests: Keep listening to Mark & Walt in the Morning on Marquette County’s Sunny 101.9, WKQS-FM. Please support the businesses that support us. Shop with them and thank them for keeping local business alive here in Marquette County. Have a great Mother’s Day weekend, and we’ll see you on Monday.

Now, while this could be an eloquent dissertation on the physiological and psychological aspects of being the perceived middle part of the average work week, it really won’t be. It’s more of a Hump Day welcome to all of you who actually take the time to read and follow along with the Mark & Walt in the Morning Super Duper Blog. Since you are such an astute devotee of the blog, there is a special bonus interview I have attached below for your consideration. It’s with US Senator Carl Levin. Enjoy!

YMCA OF MARQUETTE COUNTY VISIT FOR “Y” WEDNESDAY!

LISA COOMBS-GEROU

Thanks to Lisa Coombs-Gerou with the YMCA of Marquette County for stopping in at the Sunny Studios this morning to give us an update on events and activities going on at the “Y” and how folks can get involved with the group. She talked about activities for young kids to teenagers to adults, all going on at the “Y”. You can check out the YMCA of Marquette County’s newly improved website by clicking “HERE“. To listen to Lisa’s complete interview, click “HERE“.

PLAYIN’ THE BLUES AND STAYIN’ ALIVE!!

CARL FULSHER & LORRIE HAYES

Thanks to Carl Fulsher with the American Cancer Society and Lorrie Hayes with the Flat Broke Blues Band and the Blues For Life Cancer Benefit. They came in to talk about the Blues For Life show on Saturday, May9th at the Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery and Voodoo Bar in downtown Marquette. The event feature three blues bands, complimentary cajun snacks, a silent auction, and more with all proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society and their educational and emotional support efforts. You can listen to the entire interview by clicking “HERE” and you can find out more about the ACS by clicking “HERE.” You can also find out more about the Flat Broke Blues Band by clicking “HERE“.

US SENATOR CARL LEVIN BLOG BONUS INTERVIEW.

US SENATOR CARL LEVIN

And for you blog devotees, as I mentioned earlier, here is my interview from this morning with Michigan’s Senior US Senator, Carl Levin. I spoke with him about a package of legislation that he is involved with on Capitol Hill concerning the reform of credit card standards and practices and getting the needed changes that he is calling for to be enacted. We also spoke about a piece of legislation that he is developing with Arizona Senator John McCain that is calling on toughening up the mechanism that prevents and manages cost overruns in Department of Defense acquisitions. CLICK “HERE” for the interview.

Well, we didn’t really do anything special on the show this morning to showcase the Cinco de Mayo day today, except for Mark playing the camp classic, “Tequila” as a possible menu for later this afternoon!. If you do decide to go out today and imbibe some tequila or sangria and eat a lot of authentic Mexican foods, just be sure to use your head and have a designated driver if you drink, and a designated Beano carrier if you overindulge in Mexican cuisine. Your kids will thank you…and so will your co-workers!

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DR. LES WONG STOPS IN!

NMU PRESIDENT, DR. LES WONG

Thanks to NMU President Dr. Les Wong for coming by the Sunny Studios this morning to give us an update on the just passed school year and it’s successful efforts along with a look ahead what is on the horizon for the Marquette-based university. He also discussed the plans for the recently-acquired golf course in Marquette County that the university will be using as both a community recreation facility and as a training ground for interested students with all net proceeds going to NMU scholarship programs. To listen to Dr. Wong’ interview, click “HERE.” If you want to find out more about the university, click “HERE.”

A LOCAL LEGEND SAY GOODBYE…(FOR NOW)!

PROFESSOR EMERITUS, DR. P!

He’s been a steady guest for over 10 years on the morning show, he’s always come around to promote the latest productions on the stage of the Forest Roberts Theater at NMU, and he’s always been gracious enough to use the interview time as an educational tool for students involved in those productions. Now, he’s moved into the “emeritus” status as a professor and director of the theater. Thanks to Dr. James Panowski for stopping in this morning to talk about his retirement after 32 years with the theater department at NMU and the Forest Roberts Theater and what he is planning to do now that he has reached the “International Man of Leisure” status in his life. Congratulations, Dr. P! To listen to the full interview, click “HERE“.

This is the one of the most interesting times of year in Marquette County and in the Marquette Area. If you ever wonder what it would be like to not have Northern Michigan University in our area, the next few days will give you an idea. The hustle and bustle of students around town has diminished greatly as they have all headed home for the summer, or have at least left town for a few days away. Thousands of students and hundreds of faculty members are not here for a bit. Summer courses will soon start up again at NMU and there will be some students back on the Marquette scene, but by and large, it’s going to be a mellow time here in Marquette County for a while…at least until the tourists arrive!

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION WEEK!

PAUL OLSON OF THE GLCYD.

Thanks to Paul Olson from the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development for coming by to talk about the annual Excellence in Education Week that recognizes superior students and their instructors from Marquette and Alger Counties who have excelled in the educational process. To listen to the full-length interview with Paul, click “HERE.” To find out more about the GLCYD, Click “HERE“.

THE WOMEN’S CENTER AND THEIR “BIG GIVE”.

DEB & STEPHANIE IN THE STUDIOS.

Thanks to Deb Parker, the Manager of Pak Ratz, the thrift & resale shop of the Women’s Center and Harbor House in Marquette amd Stephanie Jones with Select Realty for coming by the Sunny Studios to tell us about the fundraising events coming up later this week with the “Big Give” on Wednesday at the Marquette Golf & Country Clubhouse and the “Gazebo” Store & Customer reunion on Saturday morning. To listen to the interview with Deb & Stephanie, click “HERE“, and for more information about the Marquette Women’s Center, click “HERE“.

THE START OF A BUSY WEEK HERE ON THE PROGRAM!!

Over the next several days, we will be double booked on the show and we will be registering you to win in our “House Full of HD” giveaway, AND, don’t forget! We have Joe Cocker tickets that we will be giving away every morning this week! Whew!!! You’re not going to want to miss a minute, but if you do, remember, you can catch the Mark & Walt in the Morning highlights right here on the big ol’ Morning Show Blog!

This vehicle was seen driving around Marquette last night. It was full of discarded furniture and other items that had been picked up by the two guys in the car. The stuff is all over the streets of Marquette as part of the annual Spring Cleanup effort in the city. Apparently they were headed downstate later last night. I wonder if they had any luck crossing the Mackinac Bridge! Gotta love springtime in Marquette!